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Lot 139

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1915 Sinking of The Lusitania

1915 Sinking of The Lusitania - Propaganda "Commemorative Medal". 6 by 6cm., 2.5 by 2.5in. A British propaganda copy of a German medal issued to mark the sinking of the Lusitania off The Old Head of Kinsale, Co. Cork, on 7 May 1915 (the medal is incorrectly dated "5 May"). The obverse shows the ship sinking with weapons piled up on its decks. "KEINE BANN WARE" ("NO CONTRABAND"), and the reverse shows a skeleton selling tickets for Cunard to a queue of passengers inscribed "GESCHAFT UBER ALLES" "BUSINESS ABOVE ALL"). These copies were sold for one shilling each in Selfridges to raise funds for charities.

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